In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

About the Author

Patricia Hruby Powell danced throughout the Americas and Europe with her dance company, One Plus One, before becoming a writer of children's books. She lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Praise For…

"Baker's entire life spreads out in this tapestry of words."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Author Patricia Hruby Powell casts Josephine Baker's story as a triumph of a strong, determined African-American woman over prejudice and parochialism. And it makes for a gripping tale."--The Denver Post

"An engaging read aloud with many possibilities for discussion, follow up research and writing.but it doesn't have to be an educational lesson either.it's just a fun read."--Cindy Dobrez, Bookends, a Booklist Blog

"A triumph of a strong, determined African-American woman over prejudice and parochialism. And it makes for a gripping tale."--The Denver Post

"A spectacular collaboration, a spotlight on an unforgettable lady."--Design of the Picture Book

"Entertaining and informative... sure to capture the imagination."--KidsReads

"Wowed me. "--Roundtable Reviews

"What an excellent book this is."--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"Some books strike you as more than a book. The words and artwork refuse to stay on the page. They lift up and dance on your tongue, fill your ears with music, and send motion pictures before your eyes - swooping you away to another time and place like magic. So it is with JOSEPHINE ."--Elizebeth Dulemba

"Scrupulously researched, high-spirited celebration of the color-line-crossing dancer."--Los Angeles Times

"Powell and Robinson create a biography of a woman whose life and art are inseparable."--Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

"One of the most superb books you'll see all year. Excellent writing and dynamic illustrations that fit together like puzzle pieces."--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"Lovely."--Library Media Connection

"Josephine dances through these pages with such exuberance, she brings light to each dark corner. A beautiful book."-- Helen Frost, author of the Printz Honor-winning Keesha's House

"It's also, thus far, one of my very favorite picture books of all of 2014." --BookPage